Codename Spring by Aubrey Ross Read Free Book Online

longer has a reason to free me. I’m not a fool, Jocelyn. This isn’t a rescue mission. You’re here for the formula.”
    She fidgeted, her gaze darting away from his face. “How do we know your formula works? We could risk countless lives and find out you’re bluffing.”
    “I’ll give you the formula. There are two elements that don’t exist on Earth. I’ve figured out how to synthesize them, but it’s doubtful human chemists can do the same.” Lust pulsed through his being, drawing him back toward the tangible world. He fought the lure, needing her to understand the urgency of his situation. Captivity wasn’t much of an existence, but Inwatta’s obsession with him had become intolerable. “You can’t do this without me, and I won’t live like this anymore. The Gathosians have ruled your planet for, what, four years? Barton was attacked two centuries ago and I’ve been Inwatta’s pet for the past forty-seven years. Humans aren’t the only ones with nothing left to lose.”
    She stilled and warmth trickled across their link. It was obvious she didn’t want to give in to their attraction, and yet sudden bursts of tenderness assured him her mind was losing the battle with her heart. Is this what he wanted? A human mate would complicate… He shook away the emotional muddle. They were each doing what they must to survive. When and if that goal was achieved, he would worry about the long-term ramifications of his choices.
    “I’m not sure how to help you.” Her voice was soft and sad. “Getting in wasn’t easy, but getting you out will be next to impossible. They took away everything, including my clothes. Inwatta is obviously not taking any chances with you.”
    “She’ll have no reason for caution—if I’m dead.” Disbelief lashed out from her mind, then he sensed far more compassion than her tense expression revealed. Was she sensing his emotions too? And how had she gained control over their bond so quickly? The connection was wide open. He should be able to sense every flicker of emotion that erupted within her, yet he only received these random pulses.
    “Are you talking simulated death or actual resurrection?”
    She hadn’t laughed in his face, which was what he’d expected. “Inwatta will know if we try to fake it. You’ll have to stop my heart.”
    Jocelyn traced her lips with her index finger as she stared off across the meadow. She looked younger with her hair down around her face. Younger and even more vulnerable. “It’s so damn risky. There has to be some other way.”
    “I’ve thought about this for longer than you can imagine. Likely longer than you’ve been alive.” It was no exaggeration. His most recent power struggle with Inwatta was one of many. Theirs had been a turbulent pairing from the start. “This will be over when she feels me die and not before. But we can minimize the risks if we’re prepared. Have a traumavac on standby, that sort of thing.”
    Worry shadowed her gaze and furrowed her brow. He didn’t need their link to know she was resisting the idea but he wasn’t sure how to sway her opinion. Or if he should try. No, it was better to let her weigh the options and come to a decision on her own. There was more than enough manipulation on this world.
    “How long can your brain go without oxygen before it’s permanently damaged?”
    “We Bartonese are more resilient than humans. Our brains can regenerate. All you’ll have to do is restart my heart.”
    The news didn’t ease her worry as he’d hoped. Concern still pulsed from her in steady beats. “And how easy is it to restart a Bartonese heart?”
    “Is Saroji Noirte still on your staff?”
    “Technically, I’m on hers. But yes, we still work together.”
    He waved away the detail. “Just make sure she’s on the traumavac.”
    “Bartonese physiology is similar to Pryett?”
    “We’re genetic cousins, descendants from the same ancestral race, but that’s not why I asked.” He paused then